sesame noodles

To make an authentic, Asian-style noodle dish, you don't need a lot of time or fancy ingredients. Don't believe me? This recipe proves it can be done. It takes regular angel hair pasta and tosses it with a fragrant sauce made of ginger, garlic, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and chili oil. Green onions, peanuts, and Thai basil are the garnish, but feel free to toss in some more veggies (like mushrooms, bell peppers, or baby corn) or tofu to make it more substantial.

This pasta only gets better the more time the flavors are left to meld, so make it tonight and enjoy it tomorrow. It also makes a great picnic dish. Get the recipe after the break.

While reading the February issue of Bon Appétit, I was surprised to learn that buckwheat, the fruit seed used to make soba noodles, is in season. Since I didn't even realize that it was seasonal, I've decided to cook with it more. This quick and simple recipe turns soba noodles into a healthy vegetarian meal. The noodles are topped with tofu, bok choy, and green onions. This dish would also be delicious with mushrooms, onions, broccoli, or red pepper, so use whatever vegetables float your fancy. Get the recipe after the break.